A late goal to John Gooch has seen Lucknow in front when the siren sounded in an epic East Gippsland Football Netball League round eight clash against Boisdale Briagolong at the Cabbage Patch.
Played in heavy conditions on a perfect day, the grand final rematch was an arm wrestle with numerous stoppages as both sides threw their bodies on the line.
The Magpies remain unbeaten throughout the first round of matches, while surprisingly the Bombers are fourth having dropped three matches, but still very much in the hunt for back-to-back glory.
It was a low-scoring congested match which suited both sides’ style of play, with the backlines doing a great job of keeping the contested marks inside 50 to a minimum.
The Bombers impressed early, similar to their last home match against Lindenow, kicking early goals and setting up an advantage as the Magpies struggled to kick straight.
With four goals to one,Boisdale was a 16-point leader at quarter time, the reigning premier looking like it might be back to its best.
Matt Wilkinson (two goals) and Jake Richards were going head-to-head in the ruck, with both sides’ prolific midfields having little trouble in finding the football, Kelvin Porter, Jackson Glenane, Tom Jolly (three) and co-coach Kade Renooy active for the Bombers.
Lucknow found its mojo and range in the second term, kicking four goals to one, effectively turning the tables with Link McKenna, Joel McNamara, Matt Corbett and Glenn Perkins waxing the football at times.
The Magpies’ lead was just three points at half time, which increased to five at three quarter time as they kicked the only major of the term as the Bombers struggled to find the middle of goals, butchering several attempts.
Andrew Nelson and Jack Saulle were instrumental in the back half for Lucknow, the former tacking numerous intercept marks, his job more difficult with Jordan Ray and Jesse Pescod going down injured in the first half.
Their departure left the Magpies short on rotations and bench players, but not on heart and guts.
Saulle was outstanding on Bombers captain and match winner Jim Reeves, keeping him goalless in a tantalising dual which entertained the crowd.
The lead changed hands several times in the final stanza as both sides kicked three goals, Gooch’s third and most vital for the afternoon with a couple of minutes to go putting them in front, hanging on grimly for a thrilling victory.
Best players for Lucknow were Perkins, Mcnamara, Nelson, Mckenna, Richards and Saulle, while the Bombers were well led by Glenane, half back Matthew Hinks, Renooy, Jolly, Nicholas Marshall and Will Brunt.
In this week’s matches, Boisdale Briagolong will hope to get back on the winners’ list when they host an upbeat Lakes Entrance, while Lucknow will make a mess of Paynesville at home.
